Independent Writers and Storytellers

Autistic indie author Jonah Baird on using generative AI as an accessibility tool, writing three novels, and finally finding a creative process that fit the way his brain works.

A high school English teacher and oral traditions scholar makes the case that podcasts, social media, and spoken word aren't new — they're humanity circling back to its oldest form of storytelling.

Circus and pole artist Yaroslava Slonova on her path from Ukrainian rhythmic gymnastics to the Las Vegas Strip, and writing one of the first practical books on creating original circus acts.

A writer's guide to crafting noble, aspirational protagonists, drawn from four Knights of the Round Table: Gawain, Galahad, Percival, and Tristan.

A figure navigates an ordinary Saturday with extraordinary dread. An original piece of literary short fiction from Phil Allard, author of Returning from Silence.

Hungarian author W. L. Know went from outlining a mermaid novel to writing a vampire serial killer thriller. A witty essay on seeds, gardening, and how books find their own shape.

A petroleum engineering PhD candidate wrote a dark crime thriller in the cracks of his research schedule. Karthik Sivaraman on logic, fiction, and why the two were never really enemies.

Christopher Valentine nearly burned down his uncle's food stand. What followed was a reflection on Viktor Frankl, Eiichiro Oda, and why embracing your foolishness might be the best thing a creative can do.

Phil Allard's debut novel follows a skeptical chemistry teacher whose near-death experience refuses any scientific explanation. A philosophical thriller that unsettles in the best possible way.

Most indie authors treat marketing as an afterthought. Here's what to do before your book launches, from building your platform to getting early readers to nailing your cover.

Inspired by Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Texas author and teacher releases Bonemeal — a horror anthology spanning short stories, novellas, poetry, and two-sentence terror, with hand-drawn illustrations throughout.

A debut apocalyptic novel rooted in a real father-son survival pact. The author behind The Day The World Went Dark on the bond that inspired the story and what happens when every light goes out.

Since August 2018, Marvin Harding has logged hundreds of UFO encounters from his Maryland home. With government disclosure now mainstream, he's finally sharing his story.

Cynthia Woods spends her days in compliance and her nights writing werewolves, vampires, magical sprites, and old west love stories. Meet the prolific indie author who can't stop creating.

Christopher Valentine breaks down the two core hero archetypes in fiction, why the no-kill rule matters more than critics think, and what happens when writers stop treating storytelling like a science.

Pulp sci-fi author Brendan Onfrichuk breaks down the cliffhanger serial structure and character dynamics behind Arkolny Abyss, his fast-paced sequel built to be read in a single sitting.

Audio engineer and producer Miguel Dembora shares a practical 3-step framework to beat perfectionism in the studio and explains why shipping at 90% is the secret to growth.

Author and ghostwriter D.A. Cairns coins the term "Ghost Reader" to describe the frustrating reality of beta readers vanishing before finishing a manuscript.

Croatian author Dino Stanković shares how he cured the blank page by using a Civilization VI campaign to procedurally generate the plot of his debut novel.

Returning guest author Christopher Valentine shares his insights on the creative process, the myth of perfection, and why writers must learn to accept failure.

Sci-fi author Brendan Onfrichuk discusses his love for classic pulp adventures and why he rejects modern tropes to write aspirational, flaw-free heroes.

Fantasy author Danielle Orsino shares the top three mistakes she made navigating traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing, including PR nightmares and trusting the wrong people.

Explore the hidden realities of indie publishing. Learn why the 10% of writing matters more than the 90% of marketing, and why "free" isn't always the best book promotion strategy.

15-year-old founder and author Ayona Jaswal shares how her youth-led organization, The Kindness and Smile Zone, uses art and storytelling to help sick children reclaim their identities.

Canadian youth-led non-profit World in Focus announces their 2026 Creative Art Contest. Open internationally to youth ages 10-18 for writing and visual arts. Enter by April 4th, 2026.

Author Clay Boone discusses how he blends the brutal reality of the post-Civil War South with Ozarks folklore and dark fantasy in his novel Where Shadows Are the Darkest.

Jamaican fantasy author Christopher Valentine shares the harsh but necessary lessons he learned from self-publishing his first novel, Damara the Valiant, and how Stan Lee's creative philosophy shaped his writing.

West Virginia author Richard Aden Vance explores how Appalachian folklore influences his paranormal horror and speculative fiction, including Aden's Fables and Twilight Symbiosis.

Jamaican sci-fi and fantasy author Christopher Valentine discusses his disillusionment with mainstream entertainment. Discover why he turned to self-publishing on Royal Road to create The Valiant Knight, a 1940s superhero period piece.

Scottish author Stephen Toman discusses the chaotic journey of writing Mushroomhead—a non-genre novel influenced by Disco Elysium. Learn how he used scissors and glue to cut 60,000 words and navigate the world of indie publishing.